December 21, 2010

Indian wedding or Shaadi is known for its glitz and glamour. It symbolizes tradition, celebration and togetherness. Traditionally, Indian wedding extends to be a week long affair and speaks of the tradition, culture and heritage of the country. In Indian wedding, there is an event for almost everything. Generally, the wedding is divided into three parts - pre wedding, wedding and post wedding. Rituals like 'Haldi', 'Mehandi' 'Sangeet' and 'Tilak' are pre wedding rituals. Before the wedding, the to-be bride and the groom's families visit each other and exchange costly gifts to each other along with sweets, fruits and dry fruits.

The parents of the bride and the groom exchange gift in the form of dress for the bride or the bridegroom and display them to the other family, as a part of their love and honor. The pre-wedding ceremonies are followed by the main day wedding ceremony, when the nuptial knots of the bride and the bridegroom are tied. There is an elaborate wedding feast for all the family and friends that are invited. The wedding itself is a long, stretched out process, when all the Hindu deities are called upon and asked to bless the new couple. The bride and the bridegroom take seven steps around the fire, vowing devotion and love to each other and agreeing to take care of each other in all circumstances.

Amidst such rituals and customs, there are various events that bring about a chuckle and laughter in the wedding ceremony. One such instance is when the younger sister of the bride tries to steal the shoe of her new brother-in-law and asks money as ransom. After the wedding ceremony, there are the post wedding functions alike 'Vidaai' or 'Doli', when the bride leaves for her new home. This is the most emotional moment of any Indian wedding, when the bride take leave of all her family members to start a new life in her husband's home. However, remember India is a diverse land and the rituals practiced would vary from region to region.

December 09, 2010

(This is my first attempt to capture a bubble. This was clicked in the dark with only one candle spreading its light. I promise to improve. I am off for a family function will come back with pictures of an Indian wedding. )

December 05, 2010

(Uber schön is a German word which means very beautiful. This picture was clicked a few days back at my apartment backyard where an elderly couples live all alone. There children are settled in US and comes to meet them once in the year. I have seen couple doing gardening in there free times (which sometimes is a full day) and have also observed their affection for there plants. This picture is a dedication to that lovely couple.)